Genesis 37: Lessons Regarding the Foreshadow of Jesus in Joseph’s Initial Favored Status and later Humiliation

Introduction: Genesis Chapter 37 continues the story of the sad moral decline of Jacob’s family. This moral decline was rooted in Jacob’s own deceit and his favoritism toward Rachel and Joseph. Jacob’s failure to react to Dinah’s rape was the final straw that caused the family to splinter. Simeon and Levi then misused God’s name to commit mass murder in the city of Shechem. All of his sons then looted the city and kidnapped the woman and children. Reuben, the firstborn, then showed his contempt for Jacob by sleeping with his concubine Bilhah. Instead of reconciling his family, Jacob poured fuel on the fire by anointing the second youngest Joseph as the future leader of the family. Joseph then sinned by acting with arrogance towards his brothers. Against this backdrop, Jacob’s other sons seethed with envy. They plotted to kill Joseph. Then, out of greed, they sold him into slavery. The family would continue its decline for another 22 years until Joseph reunited the family in Egypt. The events in this story are real. Yet, Joseph’s favored status and his later humiliation foreshadowed Jesus in seven ways.

First, Joseph’s brothers resented him for his anointed status. In a similar way, the religious leaders of Jesus’ day resented Him for the anointed status that the Heavenly Father bestowed upon Him. Second, God gave Joseph a dream that his family would one day bow to him. This would be fulfilled in Egypt. This also foreshadows the day when all of God’s people will bow down to Jesus. Third, God gave Joseph a second dream where all the world bowed to him. This foreshadows the time when all creation will confess Jesus as Lord. Fourth, as his representative, Jacob sent Joseph out to find his missing brothers. As God the Father’s representative, Jesus also came to find the people who were lost to sin. Fifth, out of jealousy, Joseph’s brothers conspired to kill him. In a similar way, the religious leaders conspired out of jealousy to kill Jesus. Sixth, out of greed, Joseph was betrayed for a few silver shekels, given to his enemies, and humiliated. In a similar way, Jesus was betrayed for a few silver shekels, given to his enemies, and humiliated. Finally, Joseph would be taken for dead, yet rise again to save his family. Jesus would also be taken for dead. Yet, He would also rise again to save His family of believers.

1. Christ was Hated for the Special Anointing that God the Father Gave Him. Gen. 37:1-4.

2. Christ is the Messiah and the King of the Jews. Gen. 37:5-8.

3. Christ is Also the King of Kings, Ruler Over All of Creation. Gen. 37:9-11.

Lucas van Leyden 1494 – 1533 (Joseph tells his dreams to Jacob)1

4. Christ Came to Earth in Search of His Lost Sheep, Aided by the Spirit. Gen. 37:12-17.

5. Out of Jealousy, the Jews Conspired to Kill Jesus. Gen. 37:18-20.

6. Jesus Was Betrayed, Given to His Enemies and Humiliated. Gen. 37:21-28.

7. Jesus Would Be Taken For Dead, Yet Rise Again to Save His People. Gen. 37:29-36.

Diego Rodríguez da Silva y Velázquez 1599 – 1660 (Joseph's Bloody Coat Brought to Jacob)2

Arent de Gelder 1645 – 1727 (Joseph's bloodstained coat is shown to Jacob)3